Work-actuated rotary brush



C. A. DAYTON ETAL WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSH Oct. 15, 1963 Filed Nov.l0, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l lllllllh l/lllllll.

a 3- L DM. 7 5 y 6 5 y, wf M 6 Oct. 15, 1963 c. A. DAYTON ETAL 3,106,732

WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSH Filed Nov. lO, 1961 4. Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct.15, 1963 C. A. DAYTON ETAL WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSH Filed Nov. l0,1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR [warms :4. Pnyrmu .744/155 D. @eey Oct.15, 1963 C, A DAYTON 'ETAL 3,106,732

WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSH Filed Nov. l0, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4#fran/sys United States Patent 3,106,732 WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSHCharles A. Dayton, Galesburg, and James D. Kirby, Palos Park, Ill.; saidKirby assigner to said Dayton Filed Nov. 10, 1961, Ser. No. 151,479Claims. (Cl. 15-28) The present invention relates generally to electricpower-driven rotary brushes for cleaning and polishing a workpiece suchas teeth or artificial dentures, and more particularly to a brush ofthis type having rotatable bristles which are maintained in a stationaryinoperative condition until the bristles are pressed against theworkpiece.

Basically, the invention comprises a casing shaped and dimensioned asahandle for convenient grasping, an electric motor within the casing,rotatable bristle means extending outside of the casing and normallymaintained in a stationary condition, and means responsive to apredetermined pressure exerted against the bristle means when the latteris pressed, into contact with the workpiece for actuating and rotatingthe bristle means to clean and polish the workpiece.

In the absence of this work-actuated feature the bristle means wouldrotate when they were not in contact with the workpiece, thereby causingabrasive compounds, such as toothpaste or toothpowder, to be flung offthe bristle means because of the centrifugal force generated by thebristle means as it rotates. This would cause waste of the abrasivecompound, as well as creating a mess in the surrounding area. On theother hand, with the workactuated brush of the present invention, littleor no abrasive compound is flung off the bristle means because thebristle means will not rotate unless pressed against the workpiece,which, accordingly, will receive virtually all of the abrasive compound.Thus the subject work-actuated brush is less messy and provides superiorcleaning and polishing per unit of abrasive compound in comparison witha brush which operates continuously even while the bristles are out ofcontact with the workpiece.

Among the several embodiments of the subject workactuated brush arethose in -which the rotatable bristles yare in axial alignment with themotor and enclosing casing-handle as well as those in which the bristlemeans extends angularly to the main axis of the motor and casing. Thislatter arrangement is similar to the relationship existing between thereflecting element and handle in a dental mirror, said arrangementproviding better access for the bristle means rinto areas of theworkpiece otherwise diiicult to reach.

In other embodiments the motor and casing are mounted on a wall andconnected to the bristle means by flexible shaft means, thereby reducingthe weight to be manipulated by the operator during the cleaning andpolishing operation.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the structure claimed anddisclosed, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of one embodiment of awork-actuated rotary brush constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIGUREl;

'FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of awork-actuated rotary br-ush constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View showing amodification of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE '3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View `of a portion of theembodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3;

K Patented Get. 15, 1963 FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of athird embodiment of the subject work-actuated rotary brush;

IFIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 7-7 in 'FIGURE6;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view line S-S in lFIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse sectional line 9*9 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE l0` is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of thebrush illustrated in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE l1 is a plan view, in section, of a fourth ernbodiment of thesubject brush;

FIGURE v12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodimentillustrated in FIGURE ll;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of the embodimentillustrated in FIGURE l2;

FIGURE 14 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating a fth embodimentof the subject brush; and

FIGURE `15 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE'14.

Referring initially to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is illustrated oneembodiment of a work-actuated rotary brush constructed in accordancewith the present invention and useful for cleaning and polishing aworkpiece such as 4teeth or artificial dentures. Brush 2G comprises acasing including a portion 2.1 shaped and dimensioned as a handle forconvenient grasping and integral with a tapered portion 22 in turnintegral with a narrow neck portion 23 shaped and dimensioned for readyentrance into the mouth of a person whose teeth are being cleaned andpolished. At opposite ends of brush 2t) are a pair of openings, 24 inneck portion 23, and 25 in handle portion 21. Covering opening 25 is acap 26 inside of which is located a cup-shaped member 27 integral with atapered tubularv grommet-like portion 28 extending outwardly from brush20 through an opening 29 in cap 26.

Located concentrically within handle portion 2'1 is an electric motorcomprising a field 30, an armature 31 and a splined first shaft oraxially elongated means 32 rotatably connected to armature 3l andslidable therethrough. Spline shaft 32 has an end portion 4S extendingfrom armature 3i into casing neck portion 23 where it is drivinglyconnected to one end of a coupling 33, the other end of which isdrivingly connected to a detachable second shaft 34 extending outwardlyfrom coupling 33 and mounting bristles 35 at its outer extremity. Splineshaft 32 has another end portion 49, opposite coupling 33, engageablewith a spring loaded, outwardly urged depress- -ible button 37 on anormally open switch 38 mounted on cup-shaped member 27 and connected bya power line 39 extending through grommet 29 to an exterior power source(not shown). When bristles 35 are pressed against the workpiece (e.g.human teeth) the second shaft '34, coupling 33 and rst shaft 32 arepushed in an axially inw-ard direction (to the right as viewed in FIGURE1). As a result, spline shaft end portion 49 engages and depressesbutton 3/ thereby closing switch 3S and electrically connecting themotor in handle portion 21 to the exterior power source. This actuatesthe motor and rotates armature 31 which rotates spline shaft 3-2 whichrotates coupling 33, shaft 34`and bristles 35.

When bristles 35 are disengaged from contact with the workpiece, theaxial pressure normally urging spline shaft 32 to the right, as viewedin FIGURE `l, is released; the spring-loaded depressible button 37returns to fits normal open position; and Athe electrical circuit to themotor is broken. This stops armature 31 from rotating, which in turnstops the rotation of spline shaft 32, coupling 33, shaft 34 andbristles 35. Because bristles 35 do not rotate when they are disengagedfrom the workpiece, abrasive compound on bristle-s 3S will not be flungoff into the surrounding area. All of the abrasive compound on bristlestaken along view taken along 35 is thus used for cleaning and polishingthe workpiece and none of the compound is wasted.

Bristles 35 and shaft 34 are frictionally received within coupling 33and may be removed therefrom merely by pulling bristles 35 anad shaft 34iowtwardly (to the left in FIGURE l). In this manner various individualbristle means may be used interchangeably with coupling 33 so that thesame casing and motor :may be used with the individual toothbrushes ofseveral persons.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment 40 in which the bristlemeans of the work-actuated rotary brush are arranged at an angle to `thehandle of the brush to facilitate access of the bristles into portionsof the workpiece otherwise not readily accessible. More specifically,embodiment 40 comprises a casing including a handle portion 41 integralwith an enlarged motor housing portion 42 integral with a narrow neckportion 43 integral with a clutch housing portion 44- extendingangularly to neck portion 43. For purposes of assembly or disassemblythe casing may be divided at the motor housing portion 42 along a lineindicated at 47.

The casing of embodiment 40 contains a pair of openings at opposite endsthereof, `one opening 45 being in clutch housing portion 44 with theaxis of opening 45 extending at an angle to the axis of neck portion 43,and the other opening 46 being at one extremity (to the right in FIGURE3) of handle portion 41 with the axis of opening 46 being in alignmentwith the axis of handle portion 41. Extending `through opening 46 is atapered tubular grommet 71 for receiving a power line 52 extending `froman external power source through handle portion 41 to a motor 50 mountedon a base 51 located within motor housing portion 42.

Motor 50 is drivingly connected to a gear 53 fixedly mounted on a `firstshaft 54 having one end journalled in a bearing 55 mounted on motor base51 and another end journalled in a journal plate 56 located in neckportion 43 adjacent clutch housing portion 44. That end `of shaft 54extending through journal plate 56 into clutch housing portion 44fixedly mounts a ydriving clutch portion 57 engageable with a drivenclutch portion 58 constituting a part of an axially elongated tubularelement or bushing 59 slidably and rotatably mounted on a stud shaft 60secured against axial movement within clutch housing portion 44 oppositeopening 45 therein.

Extending axially into bushing 59 is a detachable second shaft 61, inaxial alignment with stud shaft 60, and terminating at bristles 64, saidsecond shaft 61 -being drivingly connected to bushing 59 by a ring-likespring clip 63 received within grooves 66, 62 in shaft 61 and bushing59, respectively. Clip 63 and grooves 62, 66 detachably connect shaft 61anad bristles 64 to bushing 59 so that various individual bristle meansmay be used interchangeably with the rest of embodiment 40.

Mounted coaxial to stud shaft 60 and fixe-d adjacent a part 72 of clutchhousing portion 44, directly opposite opening 45, is a ring-shapedelement 65. Element 65 and axially elongated bushing 59 have likemagnetic charges so that bushing 59 is magnetically repelled from fixedelement 65. This magnetic repulsion normally maintains bushing 59 in thedeactuated position shown in FIGURE in which the clutch portions 57, 5Sare drivingly disengaged.

When the bristles 64 are pressed against a workpiece to clean and polishthe latter, bristles 64, shaft 61, and ele ment 59 move axially in aninward direction towards element 65 against the magnetic repulsionexerted by the latter relative to bushing 59. This inward movementcontinues until clutch portions 57, 58 are in frictional drivingengagement, whereupon the bristles 64 rotate to clean and polish theworkpiece. When `the bristles 64 are removed from contact with theworkpiece, the normal magnetic repulsion between element 65 and bushing59 returns bushing 59 to the deactuated position shown in FIGURE 5,thereby drivingly disengaging clutch portions 57, 58, and

stopping the rotation of the bristles 64. In embodiment 40 the motor 50continues to operate as long as the power line 52 is connected to thepower source (not shown). Operation of motor 50 can be stopped merely bydisconnecting the line 52 from the power source.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a modification of embodiment 40 in which the motoris driven by a pair of batteries 67 electrically connectable to motor 50by a first terminal 68 located adjacent motor housing portion 42 and aspringable second terminal 69 located in a cap 70 threadably engagablewith handle portion 41 at an end thereof opposite motor housing portion42.

FIGURES 6 to l0, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment comprising ahousing including a handle portion 81 integral with a tapered portion 82integral with a narrow neck portion 83 integral with a clutch housingportion 84. At opposite ends of the casing are a pair of openings 85 inclutch housing 84 (FIGURE 10) and 86 at one extremity of handle portion81 (to the right in FIGURE 6), said opening 86 being covered by a cap 87having a centrally disposed opening 83 through which extends a taperedtubular ygrommet 89 receiving a power line 90 extending into theinterior of the casing.

Located within handle portion S1 is an annular divider 91 to one side ofwhich is located the motor of embodiment 80 (to the left in FIGURE 6),said motor comprising a field 92 around which is located electromagneticpoles 93. In axial alignment with field 92 is an armature 94 surroundedby extensions 95 of poles 93. Armature 94 and field 92. of the motor ofembodiment 80 are arranged in axial alignment to provide a more compact,narrow handle portion 81 than could be obtained if the armature andfield were positioned `in a concentric arrangement.

The speed of the motor of embodiment 80 may be adjusted by means now tobe described. Located adjacent interior annular divider 91 (to the rightthereof in FIGURE 6) is a bracket 96 fastened to the walls of handleportion 81 by screws 97. -Mounted on bracket 96 is a potentiometer 98`from which extends an adjusting shaft 99 fixedly secured to a hub 100from which extend a pair of spokes 101, 102, each spoke extendingoutwardly through a slot 107, 108, respectively, in casing handleportion 81. Connected to the outermost extremities of spokes 101, 102,by screws 104, is a rin-g 103 located around the periphery of handleportion 81 adjacent cap S7.

To adjust the speed of the motor of embodiment 80, the operator merelyrotates the ring 103 which rotates adjusting shaft 99 of potentiometer98, which varies the speed of the motor. The angle through which shaft99 may be rotated is determined by a pair of stop means 105, 106 againstwhich ribs 101, 102 abut. The angular position of shaft 99 in turndetermines the speed of the motor of embodiment 80. For example, whenshaft 99 is in the angular position shown in FIGURE 9 wherein ribs 101,102 abut stop elements 106, 105 respectively, the motor is off. On theother hand, if shaft 99 is rotated .to a position in which ribs 101, 102abut stop elements 105, 106 respectively, then the motor is operating atmaximum speed. When the shaft 99 is rotated to a position in which theribs 101, 102 are in intermediate positions between stop elements 105,106 the motor is operating at an intermediate speed.

The motors rotating armature 94 drives a shaft 109 extending through aplate 110, located adjacent casing tapered portion 82, and through ajournal element 111 located in narrow neck portion 83, and terminatingat a conical clutch driving portion 112. Clutch portion 112 isengageable with a conical clutch driven portion 113 constituting a partof an axially elongated element or bushing 114 rotatably and slidablymounted on a stud shaft 115 extending from a part 123 of clutch housingportion 84. Bushing 114 extends outwardly through opening 85 in clutchhousing portion 84, and extending outwardly from bushing 114 is a shaft116 dctachably connected to bushing 114 by means yof a pair of `grooves117, 119 in shaft 116 and bushing 114 respectively, and a ring-likespring clip 11-8 received in both of said grooves. The outer extremityof shaft 116 lterminates at bristles 120. Around the bristles is arubber casing 121 which can be used to massage the gums of a person whenthe bristles are disposed parallel to the teeth. 'I'he teeth are cleanedor polished by the tops of bristles 120 when the bristles are disposedperpendicular to the teeth.

Bristles 120 are normally in a stationary inoperative condition, andclutch portions 113 and 112 are normally maintain-ed in the disengagedposition shown in FIG URE by spring means 122 located adjacent part 123of clutch housing portion 84. However, when bristles 120 are pressedagainst a workpiece, bristles 120, shaft 116, and bushing 114 `arepushed axially inwardly against the urging of spring means 122 tofrictionally engage the driven clutch portion 113- with the drivingclutch portion 112, thereby causing rotation of bushing 114, shaft 116,and bristles 120. When bristles 120 are disengaged from contact `withthe workpiece, spring means 122 returns bushing 114 to its normaldeactuated position shown in #FIGURE 10, thereby disengaging drivenclutch portion 113- from dri-ving clutch portion 112 and stoppingrotation of bristles 120.

The fourth embodiment 130 of the subject brush is illustrated in FIGURESill to 13. Embodiment 130 comprises a casing having a handle portion 131integral with a narrow neck portion 132 integral with a clutch housingportion 133 extending angularly to neck portion 132. The casing includesa pair of openings, one opening 134 in clutch housing portion 133, andanother opening 135 in handle portion 131, at one extreme of the casingopposite opening 134. Extending through opening 135 is a tapered tubulargrommet 136 through which extends a power line 137 connected to themotor inside the casing, said motor comprising a field 13S, poles 139supported by posts 140 extending Ifrom the walls of the handle portion131, and an armature 141 which drives a shaft 142, around which isrotatably mounted a pulley 143. Rotation of pulley 143 drives a belt 144extending through neck portion 132 and trained around pulley means 145constituting a tubular first axially elongated element and -located incl-utch housing portion 133. Pulley means 145 includes a driving clutchportion 146 engageable with a driven clutch portion 147 constituting apant of a second axially elongated element or bushing means 148rotatably and slidably mounted on a stud shaft 149 extending from a part150 of clutch housing portion 133.

One end portion 74 of bushing 148 is received within pulley means 145and the other end portion 75 of bushing 14S extends outwandlythroughopening 134 in clutch housing portion 133. Extending outwardly frombushing 148 is a shaft 151 detachably connected to bushing 148 by meansof a pair of grooves 152, 153 in shaft 151 and bushing 148 respectivelyand a circular spring clip 154, said detachable connecting arrangementbeing similar to those described previously with reference toembodiments Sii and 46'. Bristles 155 for cleaning and polishing aworkpiece are mounted at the outer extremity of shaft 151 and arenormally maintained in a stationary inoperative condition by means nowto be described.

Located adjacent part 105 of clutch housing portion 133 and around studshaft 149 is a fixed element 156 having a magnetic charge the same as amagnetic charge on bushing 148. Accordingly, there is a magneticrepulsion normally existing between element 156 and bushing 148 whichurges slidably mounted bushing 148 along stud shaft 149 away from fixedelement 156 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 13. When bristles 155are pressed against a workpiece, the pressure exerted against thebristles causes the shaft 151 and bushing 148 to move axially inwardlythereby .effecting a driving frictional engagement between the bushin-gsdriven clutch portion 147 and the driving clutch portion 146 on pulleymeans 145. This in turn rotates bristles 155. When the bristles areremoved from contact with the workpiece, the pressure exertedthereagainst is released, thereby allowing the normal magnetic repulsionexisting between element 156 and bushing 148 to return the bushing `14S,the shaft 151, and bristles to the inoperative position sho-wn inIFIGURE 13.

The fifth embodiment 160 of the subject brush is illustrated in FIGURES14 and 15. Embodiment 160 comprises a wall mounted housing 161containing a motor indicated generally at 162 and substantiallyidentical to the motor described in conjunction with embodiment 130(FIGURES 1l and 12). Motor 162 idrives a shaft 163 covered by enclosingmeans i-ndicated generally at 164. Shaft 163 in turn drives flexibleshaft means indicated .generally at 165, in turn driving a shaft 166contained within the handle portion 167 of a casing also comprising aclutch housing portion 168 extending angularly to handle portion 167.Extending outwardly from clutch housing portion 168 is bristle means 169normally maintained in a deactuated inoperative condition by meansidentical 'with those illustrated in conjunction with embodiment 40-@FIGURE 5). The workactuating features of embodiment 160 are identicalwith those of embodiment 40 and accordingly need not be described here.Separation of motor 162 from the rest of embodiment 16d'l and mountingthe motor on a wall substantially lessens the weight to be manipulatedby the brush operator during the cleaning and polishing operation.

There have thus been described several embodiments of a power drivenrotary brush for cleaning and polishing a workpiece such as teeth ordentures, said brush being -normally maintained in an inoperativecondition and being actuated only when the bristles of the brush arepressed against the workpiece.

It should be understood that work actuated attachments other thanbristles may be utilized with the subject invention. For example, tofacilitate removal of stains from teeth a conventional rubber cup may beused at the end of the shaft which ordinarily carries the bristles. As aportable instrument for dentists to rise in treating patients confinedto bed in their homes or in a hospital, the subject invention may befused with a complete line of conventional dental attachments such asburrs, cups, bristles, and the like.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications 'will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

1. A Work-actuated rotary brush comprising:

an elongated handle-type casing;

a motor within said casing;

a stud shaft fixed in said casing and extending axially in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the casing;

a tubular element having a first end slidably and rotatably mounted onsaid stud shaft;

-a second shaft coaxial with and axially spaced from said stud shaft,said second sha-ft having one end removably mounted in said tubularelement at an end of the latter opposite its first end for rotationtherewith;

bristles at the other end of said second shaft and located outside saidcasing;

-a driving clutch portion drivingly connected to said motor;

a driven clutch portion on said tubular element;

said tubular element being slidably mounted on said stud shaft for axialmovement, with said second shaft and said driven clutch portion, betweena first position in which :the driven clutch portion is disengaged fromthe driving clutch portion and a second position in which the two clutchportions are drivingly engaged;

and means normally urging said tubular element to said first position.

2. A work-actuated rotary brush as recited in claim 1 wherein said lastrecited means comprises spring means adjacent said stud shaft betweenthe casing and said first end of the tubular element.

3. A work-actuated rotary brush as recited in claim 1 wherein said lastrecited means comprises:

a metallic element adjacent said stud shaft and in facing relation tosaid irst end of the tubular element;

said tubular element being metallic;

both of said elements having like magnetic charges.

4. A work-actuated rotary brush as recited in claim 1 wherein saiddriving clutch portion is mounted on a shaft extending perpendicularlyto said stud shaft and drivingly connected to said motor.

5. A work-actuated rotary brush as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said driving clutch portion is mounted on a second said rst tubularelement being slidable within second tubular element.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS PowellMar. 3, Force IFeb. 2, Powell Apr. 12, Hoover Jan. 15, Touchstone July9, Thommies Dec. 12, Glynn Apr. 14, Baker Oct. 16, Klemas et al Nov. 10,Hussar Dec. 8, Miller Dec. 12,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 19,

1. A WORK-ACTUATED ROTARY BRUSH COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED HANDLE-TYPECASING; A MOTOR WITHIN SAID CASING; A STUD SHAFT FIXED IN SAID CASINGAND EXTENDING AXIALLY IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THELENGTHWISE DIRECTION OF THE CASING; A TUBULAR ELEMENT HAVING A FIRST ENDSLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID STUD SHAFT; A SECOND SHAFTCOAXIAL WITH AND AXIALLY SPACED FROM SAID STUD SHAFT, SAID SECOND SHAFTHAVING ONE END REMOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT AT AN END OFTHE LATTER OPPOSITE ITS FIRST END FOR ROTATION THEREWITH; BRISTLES ATTHE OTHER END OF SAID SECOND SHAFT AND LOCATED OUTSIDE SAID CASING; ADRIVING CLUTCH PORTION DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR; A DRIVENCLUTCH PORTION ON SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT; SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT BEINGSLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID STUD SHAFT FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT, WITH SAID SECONDSHAFT AND SAID DRIVEN CLUTCH PORTION, BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WITHTHE DRIVEN CLUTCH PORTION IS DISENGAGED FROM THE DRIVING CLUTCH PORTIONAND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE TWO CLUTCH PORTIONS ARE DRIVINGLYENGAGED; AND MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT TO SAID FIRSTPOSITION.